Report: Syracuse under scrutiny--again

Report: Syracuse under scrutiny--again

Syracuse University basketball has been under NCAA investigation for a
period of "years," a source with knowledge of the case told
CBSSports.com on the eve of the NCAA Tournament.

That source said the school has received a letter of preliminary inquiry from the NCAA.

The
specific nature of the alleged violations was not disclosed by the
source but the transgressions were described as both major and
wide-ranging in nature. The investigation includes scrutiny of player
Fab Melo's academic eligibility and an alleged 2007 sexual assault
involving three players, according to the Syracuse Post-Standard.

The
paper also reported that NCAA investigators had been interviewing
sources in Syracuse for at least the past academic year. The
investigation also encompasses football but that it is believed to
primarily involve basketball. Syracuse has been penalized only once by
the NCAA in a major case according to the association's legislative
database. That was in 1992 in a case that focused on extra benefits in
the basketball program.

The case is not related to allegations made against former assistant coach Bernie Fine. Federal authorities dropped their investigation of sexual abuse claims made against Fine in November.

A
year ago Syracuse admitted to an ongoing NCAA inquiry into possible
violations of its drug policy. The potential violations were reported by
Yahoo! Sports.

"As
we said last year at this time, we are collaborating with the NCAA as
part of an ongoing inquiry," said Kevin Quinn, Syracuse senior vice
president for public affairs. "Given this process is ongoing, we are
unable to comment further at this time."

The ongoing investigation
has apparently grown larger in scope. When asked to characterize how
wide-ranging the probe might be, a source with knowledge of the case
told CBSSports.com: "Throw a dart at the [NCAA] Manual [and you would
hit a violation by Syracuse]."

Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim reacted
during Wednesday's media session in San Jose, Calif. prior to the
Orange's opening-round game Thursday against Montana.

"Same story they had last year at this time," Boeheim said. "I guess that's annual. I guess next year we'll get it again."

As
a private university. Syracuse would not necessarily be subject to
Freedom of Information requests to reveal the letter of inquiry. The
preliminary letter is sent to schools as formal notice that an
investigation is being conducted. The next step in the NCAA process
would be a notice of allegations, which would spell out detailed
violations.

"We're concerned about playing Montana," Boeheim said.
"What people write or say, you know there's 30,000 people in the
[Carrier] Dome yelling at me all the time."